Border Clearance in Exeter
Professional border clearance services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£160
Typical Duration
1-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Professional border clearance to remove weeds, reveal plants, and restore order to overgrown borders. We work carefully, remove waste, and can apply mulch to suppress regrowth.
Why Borders Get Out Of Hand
Because weeds are more committed than gardeners. Life gets busy, summers are dry, winters are depressing, and before you know it the border is a jungle of bindweed, nettles, and ground elder with your actual plants gasping for light and nutrients.
Border clearance is therapeutic destruction. We remove everything that shouldn't be there, free up the plants you want to keep, improve the soil, and give you a clean slate. You get your border back, and with proper mulching, it stays manageable.
What We Do
First, we identify what's staying and what's going. If you're not sure, we can advise - that might be a valuable shrub or it might be elder seedlings. Everything marked for removal gets pulled by root where possible.
Weeds are removed, debris is cleared, soil is loosened and aerated, and everything is left clean and ready for planting or mulching. We work around existing plants carefully, though sometimes overgrown borders mean plants have grown into each other and some disturbance is inevitable.
If you want, we apply mulch after clearing. This suppresses weed regrowth, retains moisture, improves soil as it breaks down, and makes the border look intentionally managed rather than accidentally bare.
💡 Pro tip: Clear borders in autumn or early spring when perennial weeds are easier to remove completely. Summer clearance is harder work and weeds regrow faster from fragments left in warm soil.
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Weeds removed by root, soil improved | Top growth cut, roots left to regrow |
| Careful work around wanted plants | Hacked through regardless, plants damaged |
| All waste removed or composted properly | Weeds dumped at back of border |
| Mulch applied to suppress regrowth | Left bare, recolonized by weeds within weeks |
Why Choose Us for Border Clearance in Exeter?
Plants freed from competing weeds
Improved soil aeration and drainage
All waste removed from site
Mulch application optional
What to Expect
1. Assessment We discuss what's staying and what's going, identify problem weeds, and agree on the level of clearance needed.
2. Clearance Weeds are removed by root, debris is cleared, soil is loosened, and the border is left clean and defined. Hard physical work.
3. Waste Removal All weeds and debris are removed from site (not dumped in your bin or left in a pile). Mulch can be applied if requested.
🔧 DIY Tips
🔧 Tools & Materials
- Fork for lifting perennial weeds
- Trowel for close work around plants
- Secateurs for woody weeds
- Garden sack or wheelbarrow
- Kneeler or pad (you'll be kneeling a lot)
- Mulch for finishing
📐 Steps
- Identify and mark plants you want to keep
- Remove annual weeds first (easy wins)
- Tackle perennial weeds by root - fork them out
- Work systematically from one end to other
- Loosen compacted soil as you clear
- Remove all waste
- Apply mulch 5-7cm deep to suppress regrowth
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Cutting weeds rather than removing roots
- Disturbing plant roots while clearing nearby weeds
- Leaving weed debris to re-root in the border
- Applying mulch too thinly (won't suppress weeds)
- Clearing in hot weather (exhausting and weeds regrow fast)
💡 Pro Trick
For persistent perennial weeds like bindweed and ground elder, remove what you can by root, then monitor weekly and pull any regrowth immediately. Eventually you exhaust the root system. It takes months, but it works.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Combine with: Border edging, pot planting, grass seeding Related services: Garden clearance (for completely overgrown gardens)
Some weeds don't clear in one session. Bindweed, ground elder, couch grass, horsetail, and Japanese knotweed all regrow from tiny root fragments. We remove what's visible and accessible, but you'll need follow-up work or weed suppression to eliminate them completely.
Clearing reveals soil condition. If your soil is compacted clay or poor quality, we can advise on improvement. Adding compost or well-rotted manure makes a huge difference to what grows well afterwards.
Mulch is genuinely worthwhile. Yes, it's extra cost, but it cuts weed regrowth by 70-80%, retains moisture (reducing watering), and improves soil structure as it breaks down. We recommend bark mulch or wood chip for most situations.
Timing matters. Spring clearance lets you see what's coming up. Autumn clearance is easier physical work. Summer clearance is hot, hard work. Winter clearance is miserable. Choose based on your priorities and tolerance for weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does border clearance cost?
Border clearance costs £60-£160 depending on border size, weed density, and whether you want waste removed or mulch applied. Small borders (under 5m) from £60, medium (5-10m) around £110, larger or heavily overgrown borders £160+.
Will you damage my plants when clearing?
We work carefully around existing plants, identifying what to keep and what to remove. Sometimes plants have grown into each other and separation causes minor damage, but we minimize this. If you're unsure what's a plant vs. weed, we can advise.
Do you remove the weeds or just cut them?
We remove weeds by root where practical - cutting just causes regrowth. Perennial weeds like bindweed, couch grass, and ground elder need persistent removal. We'll advise on follow-up treatment for problem weeds.
Can you apply mulch after clearing?
Yes, and it's highly recommended. Mulch suppresses weed regrowth, retains moisture, and improves soil. We can supply and apply bark mulch, wood chip, or compost depending on your preference and budget.
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